Agenda item - Presentation(s)

Before proceeding to the formal business of the meeting there will be a brief presentation outlining the work of the St Giles’ Trust.

The Trust offers intensive help to young people exposed to or at risk of violence, vulnerability and exploitation. The work encompasses gangs work and family support as well as child exploitation and human trafficking and seeking to prevent disadvantaged young people from becoming involved in gang crime and serious youth violence. It offers interactive sessions in schools, pupil referral units and colleges which offer practical tools and knowledge to young people on how to steer clear from violence and crime.

Following the presentation Members will have the opportunity to ask questions after which there will be a short break before proceeding to the main business of the agenda.

64.1    Evan Jones and Elroy Palmer were in attendance on behalf of the St Giles’ Trust SOS Project to outline the work being undertaken in order to address County Lines across the South East also, the countrywide links that were established and the on-going work which was taking place. Their work comprised a number of inter-related strands which included support work in concert with other agencies/partners, preventative work and training/outreach programmes.

64.2    Work was being undertaken in partnership with missing people organisations in order to offer flexible support to young people and children in order to help them to exit county lines drug distribution networks, reconnect with their families and move away from drugs, crime and exploitation. Preventative was also undertaken with young people at risk of gang crime which aimed to help prevent them becoming caught up in this lifestyle. Ex-offenders trained by the Giles’ Trust worked within schools to educate particularly with regard to weapons, this programme was based in London but was also delivered in locations outside the capital.

64.3    In addition, the SOS Training Outreach Programme (S.T.O.P.) delivered increased understanding of gangs and associated issues for professionals and front-line practitioners. Course elements included gangs; girls at risk of sexual exploitation; non-violent resistance; reducing and managing conflict, amongst other topics.

64.4    Chief Superintendent Lisa Bell stated that the Police recognised the important contribution provided which worked in concert with and dovetailed with the work being undertaken by the Police.

64.5    Following the presentation Members had the opportunity to ask questions before proceeding to consider the remaining business on the agenda, Messrs Jones a Palmer were thanked for their informative presentation, applauding the work that was being carried forward to address this.